Vol 2, Chapter 4 #3
Ten days later, after putting all their affairs in order, the three boarded a Dennington Lines ship in Liverpool bound for the Canadas.
From there they would travel overland to New York.
Before they boarded the ship, Bingley posted a letter to his aunt for their sister from both himself and his older sister.
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Once the Lucas parents and Maria had washed and changed, they were introduced to all of those in residence at Rosings.
Shortly after the introductions and a most appreciated apology from Mr. Darcy, Sir William agreed to help Darcy when he arrived in Meryton in contacting those who were to be apologised to.
Bennet then requested Sir William and his family to join the Bennet family in the library.
“What do you intend to do now, Charlotte?” Lady Sarah Lucas enquired of her daughter.
“While I am in mourning, which will be only two months complete, my plan is to reside at Lucas Lodge, unless that is inconvenient for you.” Charlotte expected one or both of her parents to object to the shortened mourning period, but neither uttered a word in opposition.
“You are most welcome, Charlotte, but what would you do after the two months?” Sir William asked.
Sir William, as was his wife, was relieved his daughter had escaped her marriage relatively unscathed.
Not long after getting to know the hapless man, Lady Lucas, even with her unromantic views on matrimony, was worried for her daughter’s sanity, living with such a man.
She was once again free, so if she chose to mourn for but a week, neither parent would have attempted to gainsay her.
“After the two month’s mourning, Jane and Eliza have invited me to reside with them in Town or, when they are not in town, at one of their estates,” Charlotte explained cryptically.
If her parents had questions why their daughter would be staying at a neighbouring estate to Lucas Lodge, neither verbalised them.
With his daughter’s future decided, Sir William turned to his friend and enquired after the plans for the funeral and was informed that the ceremony would proceed on the morrow.
Sir William was told that the curate from St. Anselm’s in Wye would arrive by eight and the service would commence soon after.
Once talk of his late son-in-law’s funeral was concluded, Sir William made to rise, but Bennet asked him and his wife to remain. Bennet asked Esther to take Maria with her and to go amuse themselves for a while.
After the younger girls had left with Mark in tow, Bennet informed the Lucases of all of their news, including Jane’s betrothal. Once Bennet, with help from his wife and daughters, had completed the tale, Sir William and Lady Lucas sat still, almost in a stupor.
Sir William had always felt the honour of his knighthood keenly and had insisted that everyone, good friends like Bennet included, address him by his title. Here he was sitting with his friend who was a marquess, soon to be a duke, who was not insisting that he be addressed as anything but Bennet.
It highlighted for Sir William that he may have let what was, in fact, the most minor of honours go to his head.
Bennet saw the emotions roiling within his friend and rightly guessed the reason.
“Once it is official and we are in public, I give you leave to call me by my title if that will make you feel better,” Bennet joked.
His friend’s levity helped settle Sir William, who along with his wife wished the Bennets well on their pending elevation and Jane on her betrothal.
“Did you say once you are the Duke that Mark will be the Earl of Meryton?” Lady Sarah asked, regretting that Maria was not closer to Mark Bennet in age, or that she did not have a daughter younger than Maria.
“He will be,” Priscilla responded, amused at the wish for she would have had the same thought if their situations were reversed.
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Early the next morning Mr. David Bamber conducted the funeral rites for Mr. Collins in front of a small congregation.
Besides the men resident at Rosings, there were only two other men who came to pay their respects, and one of them was the manservant who worked at the parsonage.
There was a short service at the graveside as Mr. Collins was laid to his eternal rest. After the internment, the six men, along with the curate, walked to the manor house to break their fasts.
After the meal, Anne asked Mr. Bamber to meet her in her study where she offered, and he gratefully accepted, the living.
He related to Miss de Bourgh that gaining the living would allow him to marry his ladylove, a Miss Julia Swift.
He had not wanted to marry until he could offer her a good home and a secure future.
Once word was disseminated throughout the parish that the new rector was the former curate who was already well loved by the parishioners, there was much relief and joy, and the following Sunday’s services were well attended by the smiling parishioners.